HSV ClubSport turns 20

THE ClubSport turns 20 this year and, to celebrate, Holden Special Vehicles has announced a limited-edition model with a host of free extras.

On sale across HSV’s national dealer network from late this month, the limited-edition ClubSport comes with HSV performance suspension, 20-inch Pentagon alloy wheels with ‘Millennium’ silver finish and leather seat trim for no additional cost.

Also featuring a unique rear window decal featuring a modern take on HSV’s original ‘CS ClubSport’ badge from the first (VN Commodore-based) model in 1990, the special ClubSport will carry the same pricetags as the standard ClubSport – $66,690 (manual) and $$68,690 (automatic).

Just 100 examples will be produced, in addition to HSV’s new V8 range-opener, the ClubSport GXP sedan ($61,990 auto).



“With this level of value add at no additional cost we anticipate the 100 vehicles will move very quickly and good luck to the person who manages to grab number one in the model build,” said HSV’s general manager of sales, Darren Bowler.

“City Motors HSV in Perth recorded the highest HSV vehicle sales in 2009 and have been rewarded with the privilege of retailing the number one vehicle to the lucky HSV buyer.”HSV’s longest-running and most successful nameplate first appeared as a full-time model in June 1990, powered by a 180kW/400Nm version of the 5.0-litre V8 found in Holden’s VN Commodore at the time.

Just 410 examples of the first ClubSport were produced from 1990, priced at just $33,320 (manual) and $34,140 (auto).

Its 5.0-litre V8 was replaced by a version of the VTII Commodore’s 5.7-litre LS1, before the 6.0-litre LS2 and the current 6.2-litre LS3 engines appeared.

The ClubSport’s best sales year was 2003, when more than 2200 examples were produced for Australia and New Zealand, as well as the UK and Middle East markets.

“If we step back 20 years to 1990, this really was a watershed year for the HSV brand,” said HSV’s general manager of marketing and communications, Tim Jackson.

“Not only did we introduce our first ClubSport model in June, but 1990 also represented our first Bathurst victory with the Holden Racing Team, who are also celebrating 20 years of success this year.

“The ClubSport has such great history and meaning within our business, and it has always been our purists’ vehicle - bringing track-focussed performance and handling to a road vehicle.”